‘World’s Toughest Fixes’ visited Tower Life Building

Sean Riley, host of National Geographic Channel’s “World’s Toughest Fixes,” and a camera crew were in town recently to document the removal of the antenna from the Tower Life Building. I’ve never seen the show, as I don’t own a TV, but apparently it can be hard to watch. This dude, Riley, apparently is in the possession of some serious stones.

The show’s Facebook page shows Riley observing the antenna removal process from atop Tower Life. The air date for the episode has not been set, but National Geographic Channel folks told me it will be some time this year. As usual, you’ll know when I know.

The current season began earlier this month. On Thursday night, Riley fixes Vegas — among the segments, a Cirque du Soleil revolving stage and the water fountains in front of the Bellagio.

The process of removing the Tower Life Building’s antenna and replacing it with a flagpole has been completed. But the overall project is not finished. Work to the tower’s lantern, the small structure at the base of the flagpole, is still underway.

The Tower Life Building, 310 S. St. Mary’s St., has been called many names. When it opened to the public on June 1, 1929, it was known as the Smith-Young Tower. The building’s original flagpole was replaced with a TV antenna in early in 1950 and was used by KENS-TV (then known as KEYL).